Ramlochan Vishwakarma
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Ramlochan Vishwakarma, known by his pen name as Sanwariya, was an Indian folk writer. He primarily contributed to
Nautanki Nautanki is one of the most popular folk performance forms of South Asia, particularly in North India, northern India. Before the advent of Hindi cinema, Bollywood (the Hindi film industry), Nautanki was the biggest entertainment medium in the ...
, a folk performance form of
South Asia South Asia is the southern Subregion#Asia, subregion of Asia that is defined in both geographical and Ethnicity, ethnic-Culture, cultural terms. South Asia, with a population of 2.04 billion, contains a quarter (25%) of the world's populatio ...
. He was born in
Prayagraj Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benar ...
,
Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
, India. He wrote
Nautanki Nautanki is one of the most popular folk performance forms of South Asia, particularly in North India, northern India. Before the advent of Hindi cinema, Bollywood (the Hindi film industry), Nautanki was the biggest entertainment medium in the ...
books such as Ramlochan Sanwariya, Chhin lo roti, and Namak ka Daroga. The Ministry of Culture,
government of India The Government of India (ISO 15919, ISO: Bhārata Sarakāra, legally the Union Government or Union of India or the Central Government) is the national authority of the Republic of India, located in South Asia, consisting of States and union t ...
conferred senior fellowship upon him for his contributions to folk writings. Ramlochan Sanwariya was a prominent Indian folk poet, playwright, and one of the most celebrated writers of Nautanki, a traditional folk theatre form popular in North India. With more than 150 written works, Sanwariya is regarded as one of the most influential contributors to the preservation and modernization of Nautanki.


Early life and background

Ramlochan Sanwariya was born in Gadhiyawa village in Karchhana Tehsil,
Prayagraj Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benar ...
,
Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
, into a family deeply rooted in artistic traditions. His father, Brahmyagya Vishwakarma, was a carpenter, poet, and Nautanki performer, while his grandfather, Ram Kumar Vishwakarma, was also a well-known folk
artist An artist is a person engaged in an activity related to creating art, practicing the arts, or demonstrating the work of art. The most common usage (in both everyday speech and academic discourse) refers to a practitioner in the visual arts o ...
. This familial connection to folk arts had a profound influence on Sanwariya from a young age, nurturing his talents in writing and performance.


Career in Nautanki

Sanwariya's contributions to Nautanki were extraordinary, with a portfolio of over 150 works that spanned a wide range of themes, from mythological and historical stories to social issues and contemporary events. His writing was marked by a deep understanding of human emotions, societal dynamics, and a unique blend of satire, drama, and humor. Some of his notable works include: "Namak ka Daroga": An adaptation of Munshi Premchand’s famous story, focusing on issues of justice and corruption. COVID-19 Pandemic Performance: Sanwariya adapted Nautanki to contemporary issues, such as his notable performance on the global COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating his ability to evolve the art form in modern times. Sanwariya’s works were praised for their ability to engage and entertain diverse audiences while also educating them on important social themes. He was instrumental in modernizing Nautanki, integrating contemporary social concerns like health, education, and corruption, and making it relevant to the urban as well as rural populace.


Poetry and literary contributions

Beyond Nautanki, Ramlochan Sanwariya was also a highly respected folk poet. His poetry, written in simple yet poignant language, resonated with the lives of common people. One of his well-known poems, "Kaha Ja Base Gidda Raj," is a symbolic exploration of environmental destruction, capturing the displacement of wildlife due to human greed and exploitation of nature. His poetry was known for its depth and social relevance, often highlighting the struggles of rural life, inequality, and environmental issues.


Awards and recognition

Ramlochan Sanwariya received numerous accolades for his contributions to Indian folk arts and culture. Among the most notable was the Senior
Fellowship A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned or professional societies, the term refers ...
awarded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in recognition of his significant role in preserving and promoting
Nautanki Nautanki is one of the most popular folk performance forms of South Asia, particularly in North India, northern India. Before the advent of Hindi cinema, Bollywood (the Hindi film industry), Nautanki was the biggest entertainment medium in the ...
and folk poetry.


Death and legacy

Ramlochan Sanwariya died on 10 September 2024, leaving behind a rich legacy of folk literature and theatre that continues to inspire. His body of work remains a crucial part of North India's cultural history, and his contributions to Nautanki have ensured that the art form remains relevant in the 21st century. Sanwariya’s influence on the younger generation of folk artists is profound. His works are still performed widely, and his efforts to modernize and contextualize Nautanki for contemporary audiences have inspired many new writers and performers to follow in his footsteps. Through his dedication to preserving folk arts and his innovative storytelling, Ramlochan Sanwariya has cemented his place as one of the greatest figures in Indian folk theatre and poetry.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vishwakarma, Ramlochan, Sanwariya, Ramlochan Sanwariya, Ramlochan Vishwakarma, Sanwariya, Allahabad ki Nautanki, Allahabad's Nautanki Indian male writers Year of birth missing Year of death missing People from Prayagraj district